Some 100 well-dressed graduates attend a prom at a five-star hotel in Ningbo city, East China's Zhejiang province, May 27, 2015. [Photo/CFP]

A survey has found that university students are spending money on a variety of items ranging from exhibitions of works to farewell dinners and graduation trips during graduation season,, the China Youth Daily reported on Wednesday.

Senior students at the art school of a university in Kunming, Yunnan province, were happy to see years of hard work pay off when their innovative designs were displayed and praised just before graduation, for example.

However, it all comes at a high cost, ranging from 3,000 yuan ($483) to more than 10,000 yuan, and a large proportion of the money is provided by the students' parents.

Farewell dinners are commonplace during graduation season and, together with parties at KTV venues and bars, they top the spending list for some students.

Many students have also spent a lot of money buying business attire and leather shoes for job interviews.

Renting an apartment is also expensive, and even monthly rent of 500 yuan is too much for many fresh graduates looking for their first job.

Graduation photos also cost money, while a graduation trip to mark the end of campus life, usher in a new stage, or carry on a campus romance can cost between 3,000 yuan and 5,000 yuan.

Other items necessary for graduation, such as examinations, theses and materials further contribute to graduation bills, students say.